Thornton knew he would be a backup before last season began. Then-coach Keith Smart moved Tyreke Evans to shooting guard, Thornton's starting spot, and expected Thornton to provide instant offense off the bench.

But it wasn't until late in the season that Thornton and Smart came to an understanding on how Thornton operated best off the bench. Rather than entering games for the first time at different stages, he consistently came in late in the first quarter.

"It was very tough, very tough," Thornton said. "Coming off the year I had, at first I didn't understand it. But I knew it was for the good of the team, and sometimes you have to make sacrifices. And that's what I did."

Could be sixth man of the year candidate imo if they give him the green light to go berserk assuming he comes off the bench. If he starts and has the green light probably even better since he will have Vasquez to set him up and Cousins to draw attention away from him.

He had a horrible year last year but one thing he can do is score in bunches and score quickly, I really hope they give him a big role or just trade him otherwise.